CEHD’s TRIO Student Support Service (SSS) program is now funded through August 31, 2026. The U.S. Department of Education has awarded CEHD $1,978,695 over five years to serve UMN students who are low income, first generation, or students with disabilities. TRIO SSS has continued to successfully serve underrepresented students for 44 years at the University – this means the new funding will contribute to the program being continuously federally funded for 50 years.

“Our new program model will continue to feature outstanding holistic advising, leadership development, and academic support services currently offered, and the TRIO SSS program will move into a four-year-plus service model with a smaller first-year new student cohort and an opportunity to serve eligible transfer students,” said Minerva Munoz, TRIO SSS Director. Michael Rodriguez, soon-to-be CEHD Interim Dean, said “I’m looking forward to working across campus for continued success with our first gen diverse students and now with more sustained support for students throughout their undergraduate careers.”

Rodriguez gave special thanks to Munoz for her stewardship of this legacy program that continues to be a national model.